SPRINGFIELD—On Monday, a measure to change the way defendants are informed about the consequences they could face became law, thanks to State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills).

“We have a legal system built on the foundation of due process and individual rights,” Link said. “We couldn’t say our judicial system is fair when defendants might not have understood the consequences they were facing.”

House Bill 2569, sponsored by Link in the Senate, would require judges to inform defendants of the maximum and minimum penalties they may face before being allowed to accept a guilty plea.

“Many defendants under extreme stress may plead guilty without any idea of what that will mean for their lives,” Link said. “This law can help change that.”

The legislation also requires judges to inform defendants that they could face increased penalties if they commit additional crimes in the future.